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Babesiosis in Lions
Gujarat’s Forest and Environment Minister, Arjun Modhwadia, confirms that 8 Asiatic lions, including cubs, succumb to a suspected Babesiosis infection in the Gir ecosystem. Gujarat’s Forest Department implements containment measures in response to recent Babesiosis outbreaks in Gir National Park.
Babesiosis in Asiatic Lions (Gir ecosystem):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Disease type | Babesiosis is a tick-borne parasitic infection. |
| Causative agent | Babesiosis comprises infection with the Babesia parasite. |
| Transmission | Babesiosis transmits through the bite of ticks infected with the Babesia parasite. |
| Endemicity and prevalence | Babesia is endemic and prevalent at low levels in livestock, wild ungulates, and lions. |
| Mortality pattern | Babesiosis does not cause mortality and appears without any symptoms in most cases. |
| Host-parasite equilibrium | In nature, there is a host-parasite equilibrium in which host and parasite co-exist, and this rarely needs an intervention. |
| Reservoirs | Domestic livestock and wild ungulates such as chital and nilgai act as asymptomatic reservoirs of Babesia. |
| Mortality risk factors | Under nutritional or physiological stress, or with other infections, Babesiosis can cause mortality. |
| Symptoms | Symptoms include lethargy, anaemia, enlarged spleen, and high fever. |
| Pathogen nature and effect | Babesia is a protozoan, like Plasmodium, and it infects and ruptures red blood cells. |
| Severe outcomes | In conditions of stress, co-infections, or genetic predisposition, the infection can cause organ failures and mortality. |
| Affected groups in recent outbreaks | Recent outbreaks in Gujarat's Gir National Park comprise deaths predominantly among cubs and immunocompromised individuals. |
| Containment measures | Containment comprises isolating lions and setting up quarantine perimeters; administering specific anti-protozoan drugs and antibodies at treatment facilities like the Jasadhar Animal Treatment Centre; de-worming local cattle, disinfecting livestock enclosures, and burning grass near watering holes to eliminate tick populations. |
| Exclusive habitat statement | Gir National Park is the only exclusive space for Asiatic lions. |
| Tiger distribution comparator | Tigers occur in 11 countries, and India has 58 tiger reserves. |